[Let's study pharmacokinetics related to anesthesiology by using computer graphics: intravenous drugs]

The pharmacokinetics of intravenous drugs used during anesthesia provides us important information for patients' care. The pharmacokinetic data are usually shown in a graphic expression together with numerical values. The numerical values are only convenient for investigators in exchanging their knowledge and information. The graphic data contain, however, whole and real information obtained in a pharmacokinetic study. The authors demonstrated a way to derive information from graphic data, which is practically applicable for patients' care. We also showed a way to calculate numerical values from graphic data by using "graphnote" by Fukutake Pub. Co. We believe that our manual way to calculate numerical values from graphic data, with an aid of computer graphics combined with scientific calculator, helps us to understand the invisible processes performed inside "a black box" or a computer installed with a commercially available soft ware for the pharmacokinetics.